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‘American Idol’ Season 23 Live Blog: Hollywood Week, Episode 7 (April 6, 2025)

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Season 23 of American Idol is heating up, as Sunday’s episode brings us to Hollywood Week. Episode 7, fittingly titled “Showstopper,” is set to air at 8/7c on ABC.

You can keep up with all the performances and viral moments with American Songwriter’s Season 23 Live Blog below.

Reminder: For the most up-to-date results, refresh the page.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

10 hours ago / 8:52 PM CDT

Thunderstorm Artis Tones It Down With John Lennon's "Imagine," And Fans Are Loving It

If Thunderstorm Artis looks familiar to you, there’s a reason. Five years ago, the Hawaiian singer-songwriter finished third on season 18 of NBC’s The Voice. Now, he is making his case to become the next American Idol.

Artis’ choice to perform a stripped-down version of John Lennon’s “Imagine” was a bold one for Showstopper Week. But the risk seems to have paid off. “yyyyeeesssss…..soft & controlled can be a show stopper too!!!!” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “finally a voice we can actually hear the range of!!!!”

 

10 hours ago / 8:42 PM CDT

Gabby Samone May Be Your Next 'American Idol'

Baltimore resident Gabby Samone commanded the crowd’s attention with a searing take on Nina Simone’s “Four Women.” The 22-year-old childcare specialist may have just sung her way into the season 23 frontrunner spot.

“GABBY ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter.

“Where can I vote for Gabby? She almost brought tears to my eyes,” another added.

It looks like Samone is another strong contender for the Top 24.

 

11 hours ago / 8:30 PM CDT

Slater Nalley Has 'American Idol' Viewers "Rocking and Swaying" With Hollywood Week Performance

Slater Nalley punched his ticket to Hollywood with an original, “Traces Of You.” The 17-year-old Atlanta singer-songwriter penned the heartbreaking tune for his English teacher’s son, who died eight years ago. Now that he has arrived in California, Nalley stepped out of his comfort zone with a cover. The Georgia teen had the crowd—and Luke Bryan—grooving with his swingy take on The Band’s “Ophelia.”

“[Slater] had me rockin and swaying in my chair,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “Bravo!”

An Instagram user added, “Slater really made Ophelia sound like an original this guy is top 5 no doubt.”

11 hours ago / 8:04 PM CDT

Amanda Barise Lights Up 'Idol' Stage With Powerful Chaka Khan Cover

There was nothing understated about Amanda Barise’s Showstoppers performance of Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody.” The 26-year-old New Yorker took the stage in a daring leopard-print ensemble and belted notes that easily reached the rafters of downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theater.

Ahead of her American Idol audition, Barise said she was on a mission to prove that “underdogs can win.” And she brought all three judges to their feet with her performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” (which, coincidentally, Mattie Pruitt took on tonight.)

“Top 5 right now!!” one Instagram user wrote of Barise. “Leave it all on stage!!!”

11 hours ago / 7:54 PM CDT

Carrie Underwood Is All Too Familiar With Kam'ron Smith's Hollywood Week Plight

While Kam’ron Smith brought the vocals to his version of Drake White’s “Make Me Look Good Again,” the 21-year-old from Rocky Mountain, Virginia, stumbled somewhat over the lyrics. But he managed to finish strong—which, in Carrie Underwood’s case, was all that mattered.

During a recent episode of American Idol’s web series From Idol to Icon, the “Before He Cheats” songstress watched 20-year-old footage of herself flubbing the lyrics to Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free.” 

“I did forget the words, but I feel like in that moment, it was more about how you jump back in,” she said.

11 hours ago / 7:47 PM CDT

This Chris Stapleton Cover Has Fans Declaring Jamal Brown "Top 3" Material

Jamal Roberts, a 26-year-old P.E. teacher from Mississippi, had the judges on their feet with his version of Chris Stapleton’s signature song. Roberts’ cover of “Tennessee Whiskey” was much smoother than it had any right to be.

“Top 3 Jamal has a REAL shot of winning this whole thing,” one viewer commented on Instagram. “I have zero idea how he wasn’t discovered prior to Idol but I’m so glad he’s being heard now.”

Another viewer added on X/Twitter, “Jamal is a superstar like someone sign him.”

Yeah I just threw my shoe at the tv!! You got that Jamal!!! #AmericanIdol

— ~*Tavia*~ (@ItsTaviBaby24)

Roberts’ breakout performance came during last week’s Idol Arena with a soaring rendition of “Her Heart” by Anthony Hamilton.

“Somewhere between the last time we heard you and now, God has anointed you with something so fantastic,” judge Lionel Richie said. “That gave us the opportunity to appreciate his gift to you. That was a brilliant performance!”

11 hours ago / 7:36 PM CDT

Breanna Nix Just Gave Her Best Kelly Clarkson Impersonation

In a possible case of foreshadowing, Brianna Nix just channeled the original American Idol. The Texas stay-at-home mom and health coach belted “The Trouble With Love Is,” off Kelly Clarkson’s post-Idol debut Thankful.

Nix’s son watched from the crowd as his mother hit some high notes that would make the “Stronger” singer proud. Judge Luke Bryan posted on X/Twitter that the 25-year-old gave him “full body chills.”

Holy shit Breanna could win this…one of the best voices since Carrie on this show! #AmericanIdol

— Lisa (@lisamarieLML)

Nix has cited Carrie Underwood as a primary musical inspiration. However, she had no idea that Underwood had replaced Katy Perry as a judge when she showed up for her audition.

“I almost had a stroke,” Nix told her local newspaper.

 

 

12 hours ago / 7:21 PM CDT

"The Fact That This Girl Is Only 15:" Mattie Pruitt Stuns With "It's A Man's Man's Man's World"

Mattie Pruitt’s smoldering rendition of James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” had judge Luke Bryan repeating her age in amazement.

“Fifteen,” the country star says in disbelief. “Fifteen…”

Mattie is 15 and sounding like that?!? Imagine what she’s gonna sound in a few years. She’s incredible. #AmericanIdol

— Katelyn Reese (@katkatmarie14)

Pruitt survived last week’s Idol Arena bloodbath with a stellar performance of Chris Stapleton’s “Cold.” “So many right things going on,” Bryan exclaimed.

The Eagleville, Tennessee singer could very well ink a recording contract before a driver’s license. “Mattie could seriously be the youngest winner of Idol ever,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter.

 

12 hours ago / 7:11 PM CDT

Victor Solomon Gets Things Going With Epic Phill Collins Cover

First up for this Showstoppers Week on American Idol is Victor Solomon, a 26-year-old from Peoria, Illinois. And we know, we say this all the time, but Solomon truly made the song entirely his own. It’s Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” like you’ve never seen before.

VICTOR WAS PERFORMING HIS BUTT OFF !!!!!!

HE WAS SHOWING THE HELL OUT.

THAT WAS FREAKING EPIC !!!!#AmericanIdol pic.twitter.com/hJorbmwBDq

— KaMorian (Sparkling Alien 💫) (@ka_morian0121)

Four years ago, Solomon placed fifth over on NBC’s The Voice as a member of John Legend’s team. Will he now chart his path to the season 23 American Idol?

 

12 hours ago / 7:04 PM CDT

Showstoppers Week Starts Now on 'American Idol!'

Boss and Choc are watching—are you?

Showstoppers are gonna be ruff. Tune in to #idol tonight pic.twitter.com/V8kuv4uhDZ

— Luke Bryan (@lukebryan)

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